Personal Injury

What
is a "Personal Injury"?

A personal injury can arise from a variety of mishaps including: automobile
accidents, motorcycle crashes, slip and fall, dog bites, car wrecks
and defective products, just to name a few. Some cases can involve very
serious injury resulting in major hospitalization, surgery, permanent
disfigurement or even death (which case is then governed by the wrongful
death statute), while other cases may involve a more minor injury which
does not become apparent until some time after the accident and which
can be treated through outpatient therapy. Whatever the mode or severity
of injury, our legal system is based upon the principle that those persons
causing injury (called the "tortfeasor") should be held legally
responsible. This usually means that the person or company who was negligent
in causing an injury will have to pay money damages in the form of financial
compensation to the person who was harmed. If the tortfeasor has purchased
insurance, then the insurance company may be responsible for paying
in order to make the injured party "whole" again and to compensate
them for the "pain and suffering" which they have been forced
to endure. This is where a personal injury lawyer can help. Many times
the responsible or at-fault party will attempt to deny responsibility
or seek to downplay and minimize the injuries, pain and suffering. A
good personal injury lawyer can help to assert your claim and present
your case in a manner that maximizes your financial recovery. If the
tortfeasor or their insurance company does not make a fair and appropriate
settlement offer, then the injury attorney will file a lawsuit and ultimately
present your claim to a jury who will then decide any issues of liability
as well as a fair amount of financial compensation.

Gerald
Perez is a Tampa Personal Injury Lawyer. He has successfully handled
numerous automobile accident and personal injury cases and stands ready
to assist you in evaluating the dollar worth of your case and presenting
your injury claim for insurance settlement or lawsuit. Mr. Perez serves
all of Hillsborough County including Tampa, Lutz, Carrollwood, Brandon,
Riverview, Ruskin, Apollo Beach and Plant City. Mr. Perez also accepts
cases in neighboring central Florida counties including: Pinellas, Pasco,
Polk and Manatee, as well as serious injury and wrongful death cases
throughout the State of Florida.

Mr. Perez has spoken to, urged and persuaded dozens and dozens of juries
regarding the assignment of blame and fault - personal injury lawsuits
revolve around the assignment of blame and fault. Fortunately, most
cases are settled without the necessity of a lawsuit or jury trial.
However, if you were to feel that the tortfeasor or insurance company
was not being fair with its financial settlement offer, then Mr. Perez
would not hesitate to put his extensive trial experience to work in
pursuing your claim for financial compensation.

Defective Products

Product liability cases can take many forms. Latent defects, malfunctions
and improper designs can be grounds for this type of claim. Numerous
household products such as appliances, lawnmowers, ladders, have given
rise to product liability suits. Pharmaceutical drugs, breast implants,
and automobile tires also have given rise to large class-action lawsuits.

Dog Bites

Some dog breeds are known to be particularly vicious and dangerous,
while other dogs never display any aggressive signals until they actually
attack. However, under Tampa law and Florida law, a dog owner may be
held "strictly-liable" even if there were no outward signs
that the dog was dangerous. In some circumstances a landlord or property
owner may also be held liable for a dog owned by someone else. Tragically
the victims of these animal attacks are all too often young children
who can be scarred, severely injured or even killed.

Faulty Security

When a property owner, business or landlord allows customers and invitees
onto the property, they have a duty to provide a reasonably safe environment.
Examples of claims made under this category include: poor lighting or
overgrown bushes at bank ATM results in robber lying in wait and robbing
customer; no security guard in parking lot of high crime area results
in assault of customer, etc.

Slip and Fall

A person slipping and falling can result in serious injury. If a property
owner knew or should have known of a dangerous condition and failed
to warn or safeguard, then he may be liable for any injuries which occur.
Examples of dangerous conditions are: holes in the ground; liquid or
slippery substance on floor; cracked or uneven flooring; loose carpet
or tiles; poor lighting, etc.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding a Personal Injury matter,
contact us today to schedule a no obligation
initial consultation.